CIVICUS Lens

Botswana: criminalisation of same-sex relations off the books

Botswana has formally removed the colonial-era provisions that criminalised same-sex relations from its penal code, marking the culmination of over a decade of sustained civil society activism.

Iran war deepens dangers for activists

Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi has been allowed to return home following her temporary release from prison for urgent medical treatment.

Beyond COP deadlock: summit for fossil fuel transition shows promise

The First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, held in Colombia in April, came at a defining moment.

Child social media bans: a growing global problem

Four countries have banned children from accessing social media, five more have passed laws awaiting implementation and around 40 more are considering bans.

Hungary's new opportunity for democracy

Péter Magyar's Tisza Party won a two-thirds supermajority in Hungary's 12 April parliamentary election, ending 16 years of Viktor Orbán's rule.

The UN NGO Committee: civil society's gatekeeper in hostile hands

On 8 April, states on the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council elected 19 new members of the NGO Committee, the body that decides which civil society organisations receive the consultative status that gives them access to the UN system.

Indonesia's genocide case: a landmark test of universal jurisdiction

Min Aung Hlaing, leader of Myanmar's military coup turned president, stands accused of genocide against the country's Rohingya minority in an Indonesian court case filed by a survivor.

Russia's African cannon fodder

More than four years into its war on Ukraine, Russia is increasingly recruiting soldiers from African countries to fill its depleted ranks.

Denmark's normalisation of the extreme

In Denmark's 24 March election, the Social Democrats got their worst result in over 120 years.

Thailand: reform deferred again

The conservative Bhumjaithai Party won Thailand's 8 February election, while the progressive People's Party lost seats.

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